SCIKNTIFIC NOTES. 



51 



from the Isle of Eigg, Hebrides; and Hartlepool, near Durham with 

 M. ni<ii)i(i(iis {Donisthor/if). The third with M. rKi/innilis and M. 

 scabri)iin}is from Bradgate Park,' Leicestershire ; Loch Aber, near 

 Dumfries; Sandown, Isle of Wight {IJkmist/ioype); and Great Salkeld, 

 Penrith [Britten). 



[Since the above went to press I have found SrhiwveKva corni, 

 Fabricius, Tiic/teoides setidom, Passerini, and another species of Bryso- 

 crijiAa from Myriiiica nests. — F.V.T.] 



(HOLEOPTERA. 



Beetles of Tiree. — I was much interested in a paper in last 

 month's Record, and made enquiries at the University Geological 

 Museum. Mr. Marr informed me, after we had examined the Admiralty 

 chart, that Tiree must ahiwst certainly have been isolated from the 

 mainland since pre-glacial times. It may also be taken as certain (as 

 far as geological facts can be certain) that the island was completely 

 covered by a part of the " Scotch Sea." This is most interesting, for 

 we are apparently justified in presuming that all the dominant forms 

 mentioned in the paper have crossed the sea to that island, whether by 

 flight, human agency, or drifting. It must be remembered that the 

 main currents go from island to mainland. Yet the geologists strongly 

 support what I have above stated to be their views. Can anyone tell 

 us what dominant forms exist in Scotland which have not reached 

 Tiree, and what dominant; forms have reached Mull, or lona, without 

 reaching Tiree ? If any such forms exist are they winged or apterous, 

 large or small, and at what season do they occur on the mainland ? 

 Evidence on the question of how far animals can cross a few miles of 

 sea is still much wanted by zoologists in general. Last month's paper 

 has perhaps materially advanced this enquiry. — P, H. Buxton (F.E.S.), 

 Trinity Coll., Cambridge. 



SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Thk Absence of Originality and Design. — It is the custom of 

 various daily papers to publish at this season a summary of the year's 

 events ; entomological journals have never formed the habit of so 

 doing, probably owing to the fact that such a summary usually forms 

 part of the Presidential Address at the annual meeting of the 

 various societies. We may perhaps go forward and suggest that there 

 is not always much real progress to chronicle. 



It is then fitting to commence the New Year, with a prospect 

 rather than a retrospect. The time has come to advance, to cease 

 from these endless repetitions, and to open new ground. Nearly all 

 the Lepidopterists in Britain are engaged in following Tutt's foot- 

 steps. Now his path is no longer new ! we must prepare for a 

 strenuous attack on the "Micro-lepidoptera" ; we must not forget the 

 Spring-tails and the Bristle-tails, the Bird-lice and the Plant-lice. 

 But even if we cling to the " Macros " there is work to be done. The 

 knowledge of genitalia has been applied to the classification of the 

 NoctufB ; it remains to do the same for other groups. In the field of 

 Bionomics there are many interesting problems. Why, for instance, 

 is Anthrocera viciae [imiiloti) so local, its pabulum so wide-spread? It 



